The 'likeable chap' died from critical head injuries sustained on Wellington streets two weeks ago
James Whenuaroa lived and died on Wellington's streets.
He was found outside Arlington Apartments in central Wellington with critical head injuries two weekends ago and died in Wellington Hospital last Saturday evening of those head injuries.
Wellington Police are treating the 53-year-old's Lower Hutt man's death as unexplained and said they are continuing to investigate the death of the "street personality".
A memorial is being held for him at Downtown Community Ministry at 10.30am today on Lukes Lane.
It is the third memorial there this year for men who lived on the streets.
Heilyn Harrison said she had been on her way home from dinner on Saturday June 17 about 9pm when she saw Whenuaroa lying on the ground near her apartment.
She said he was with several others who all looked drunk but she thought nothing of it because that behaviour was not unusual for the area.
About two hours later, Harrison heard a noise near her bedroom window.
She went outside to find Whenuaroa lying alone on the ground.
"He had two black eyes and a fat face. His face looked like it had been stomped on. He had blood gushing out of his head. He was unconscious."
Harrison said she told her friend to ring an ambulance and later overheard paramedics saying Whenuaroa's body temperature had dropped dangerously low.
He was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Downtown Community Ministry director Stephanie McIntyre said Whenuaroa was a gentle and sensitive person who struggled with homelessness and alcohol.
"He would've been a person who was often seen street drinking, often at the centre of perhaps some mayhem in the city, that kind of lifestyle.
"Our goal with James was always to try and find somewhere safe and appropriate for him to live and, sadly, we haven't achieved that. James and his early death is a real tragedy."
James Whenuaroa was found outside Arlington Apartments with critical head injuries.
McIntyre said it was sad to lose another member of the street community unnecessarily.
"This is our third memorial service this year and all celebrating the lives of men, Maori men, who've died far too young."
Investigation continues
Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Mallon said Wellington police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the death of Whenuaroa.
Mallon said inquiries had shown that Whenuaroa was well known in the Wellington CBD as a "street personality".
"He was well liked and generally friendly to all people that had contact with."
Police were still working to establish exactly what caused his injuries and members of the investigation team would be at Arlington Apartments this Saturday evening.
Police intended to speak to people who lived in the area or who regularly visited the Arlington St Apartments.
Police know that Whenuaroa was in the Wellington central city, between Manners St and the Arlington Apartments, between 5.30pm and 11.50pm on June 17.
Mallon said Whenuaroa had spent time in Te Aro Park with friends before walking up Cuba St to Arlington Apartments about 6pm on the night he was injured.
"We're pretty keen to hear from anyone who may have seen him, spoken to him and who may be able to assist us. There are areas of the time and some of his movements that we still aren't clear on," Mallon said.
Whenuaroa was wearing a dark-coloured padded jacket, a beanie, and track pants with white writing down one side.
Mallon said Whenuaroa was drunk at the time.
"He's very well known as a street personality, known to police as such, and what's of interest is every police officer I've spoken to who deals with James describes him as a very likeable chap."
Mallon said police were focusing their investigation in the tower block, courtyard and car park of Arlington Apartments.
He said anyone with information should contact Wellington police on 04 381 2000, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if they have information.
